Probe agencies, media 'Talibanised', Mufti hits out at central government

Talking to reporters on Wednesday Mufti said the institutions that were meant for protecting the rights of the people and upholding the Constitution of the country have been 'Talibanised'.

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir):Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP president, Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday accused the government of misusing agencies to intimidate political opponents. Talking to reporters on Wednesday Mufti said the institutions that were meant for protecting the rights of the people and upholding the Constitution of the country have been 'Talibanised'.

This comes after her mother, Gulshan Nazir, was questioned for nearly three hours by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case.

She was accompanied by her daughter Mehbooba Mufti. Gulshan Nazir is being summoned under the alleged Money Laundering Act 2002, the ED said.

"Unfortunately, the institutions which were supposed to protect our rights and uphold the spirit and Constitution of India have been Talibanised," she added.

She also alleged even the media has been 'Talibanised'. "The majority of the mainstream media is peddling BJP''s narrative, they are not talking about how agencies are being misused and the Constitution is being played with," she added

READ:J&K: Mehbooba Mufti's mother appears before ED in alleged money laundering case

Asked about the line of questioning by the ED, the PDP president asked, "Do you understand the chronology?"

"I refused to meet the delimitation commission, the next day we got the summon. I held a peaceful protest on August 5, the next day we got a summon," she claimed.

She also said agencies like the NIA and the ED were made to do serious work, but unfortunately, these agencies are being weaponised and used against politicians, activists and media personnel and students, be it Sudha Bhardwaj or Disha Ravi or Umar Khalid or any politician.

Earlier in April and July, the ED had summoned Mehbooba Mufti's mother, however, in April she did not turn up citing the pandemic while in July the PDP asked ED to clarify the reasons or allegations for summoning Gulshan Nazir.

The last two summons were also condemned by Mehbooba Mufti and leaders of the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration.

(With agency inputs)